The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program Recommended Links

Here is a list of links that might be helpful to applicants and Bedsole Scholars alike. This list is by no means comprehensive, as there are literally hundreds of valuable and informative sites out there for you to visit. The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program has culled together a few that range from defining the different types of financial aid to completing and submitting the FAFSA. In addition, most of these sites contain their own links for further review. If you are looking to see what types of financial aid may be available through your college, we suggest you contact your financial aid counselor.

FinAid is a site that provides detailed information on the financial aid process, how to find financial aid and how to apply. You can also find information on scholarships and loans.

FastWeb helps a student locate available college funding and internship opportunities. It's a great way to search, so check it out!

CollegeBoard is another scholarship and college resource page. Looks to be promising.

Federal Student Aid for College or CareerSchool- The U.S. Department of Education provides grants, loans, and work-study opportunities to eligible students attending participating colleges or career schools. The Department is the source of nearly 70 percent of all student aid awarded in the U.S. each year. The vast majority of the Department's aid is not based on academic merit. For further information and an online application, visit the Department's Web site at www.studentaid.ed.gov. Alternatively, you may call the FederalStudentAidInformationCenter toll free: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). TTY for the hearing-impaired is 1-800-730-8913.

TheAccess Group offers information on college loans and more specifically, paying them back. There is also a financial aid section as well as a useful worksheet on preparing a budget. The site also features a software download, Access Advisor, which aids in preparing for and then managing student loan repayment.

AlabamaMentor.org gives a wealth of statistical information on colleges and universities (both public and private) in the state of Alabama including: demographics, academics, costs, financial aid, contact information, etc.

CollegeInfo.com is yet another great site offering college related information that you might want to check out.

Various Scholarships

The Smith Scholarship Foundation is available to high school seniors residing and attending school in the state of Alabama who have a minimum "C" average and documented community and civic-related activities. Preference is given to those high school seniors who will be the first in their family to attend college. Like the J.L. Bedsole Scholarship, The Smith Scholarship Foundation is a need-based award.

The McNair Scholarshipis geared for undergraduates who are first-generation college students from low-income families. The scholarship encourages graduate studies by involving students in research-oriented projects. Emphasis is placed on teaching research techniques critical to doctoral level success. It includes a $2,800 stipend for a research internship. In the state of Alabama, McNair Programs are offered through The University of Alabama Birmingham and The University of Alabama.

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarshipsallow students a chance to gain knowledge and understanding of people from different countries. Scholarships are offered to undergraduates, graduates and working professionals who wish to travel abroad to learn. For more information, visit the Rotary website at www.rotary.org.

Snook Foundation Scholarshipsare administered byThe South Baldwin Education Foundation to provide college scholarships for qualifying students of SouthBaldwinCounty. More specifically, scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors and alumni of FoleyHigh School, GulfShoresHigh School and RobertsdaleHigh School. Scholarships are awarded to eligible candidates, and there is a selection process.

The Truman Scholarshipis highly competitive and is awarded to college juniors wishing to attend professional or graduate school in preparation for careers in public service areas such as government, nonprofit organizations, public or private primary and secondary schools. The award is $30,000. Students cannot apply directly for this scholarship but must be nominated through their college; therefore, contact your college's financial aid dept. for more information. Check out their website at www.truman.gov.

Each February, 20 undergraduates are named to the All-USA College Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today. Team members are featured in USA Today's Life section, and they receive a trophy and a $2,500 cash award. Full-time undergraduates with excellent academic records who have also used their abilities and talents to benefit society may apply.

Other

The J.L. Bedsole Alumni Website. This site is for all J.L. Bedsole Alumni. Alumni can update their contact information, learn what's new in the Bedsole community and tell us what's going on in their life. The site will grow as The J.L. Bedsole Alumni Association takes shape. We'd love to hear from you!

These are just a few of the sites out there that provide resources and information on the financial aid process. We will add to this list as we come across more.